Home Program Areas CCRs Categories

Search

Lesson Plan: CTE Workplace Skills with GCF Global

Details

Author:

Yecsenia Castro

Main Website:

https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/topics/workplaceskills/

Activity Website:

https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/

Tech Product/Equipment:

Computer and projector, Computer, Speakers

Activity Description

Students will explore the GCF Global Workplace Skills website to learn about workplace expectations, how to complete essential paperwork, and understand key topics like employee benefits and time off. Students will gain a foundational understanding of essential workplace expectations and skills for new employees. Through this engaging lesson, students will gain practical insights into workplace norms, boosting their confidence and preparedness for future employment.

Preparation

Check the website to ensure it is not blocked at your site.
Read through the lesson plan.
Print and make copies of any handouts.

Teacher Tips

Familiarize Yourself with the Website: Explore the website beforehand to become familiar with the content and locate specific lessons you want to highlight.
Encourage Questions: Provide time for students to ask questions about workplace expectations. This is likely new information, so foster a safe space for curiosity.
Highlight Practical Applications: Emphasize how these skills are essential in any job setting, making connections to situations students might encounter in their first jobs.
Encourage Independent Exploration: Motivate students to continue exploring the website on their own, as it has a wide range of useful lessons that can support their career readiness.

Program Areas

CTE: Career Technical Education

View Lesson Plan

Warm-up

Ask students if they have any work experience or if they know what to expect as a new employee in a workplace.

Sample Questions:

What are some things you think you’ll need to know when you start a new job?”
Why do you think understanding workplace expectations is important?
What is expected of employees?

Introduction

Explain that they’ll be exploring a helpful resource to learn about what’s expected in the workplace and how to be successful as new employees. Briefly introduce the GCF Global Workplace Skills website and explain that the class will use it for to learn about various topics like job success, workplace expectations, communication skills and more.

Presentation

Teacher Demonstration:

Navigate to the GCF Global Workplace Skills Website: Open the website and demonstrate how to find and explore different topics.
Show students how to navigate the section: “Workplace SKills”
Briefly open one or two lessons and point out important features, such as videos, quizzes, and summaries. Example Sections to Explore: Time Management, Setting Goals and Common Workplace Communication

Practice

Assign Topics to Groups: Divide students into small groups, and assign each group a different topic from the website to explore in depth.

In example: Topic 1: Job Success:

Group 1: Increase your job success
Group 2: Time Management
Group 3: Setting Goals
Group 4: Business Etiquette

Have each group read through their assigned topic and complete any interactive content (e.g., quizzes or videos).

Ask each group to prepare a brief summary of what they learned, noting any key points or questions they had.

Walk around the room, answer questions, and ensure groups are on track.

Evaluation

Have each group present their topic summary to the class. Each group should cover key takeaways and one or two interesting facts they learned.Allow time for other students to ask questions and discuss.

Ask reflective questions, such as:

“Which topics seemed the most important for starting a new job?”
“Did anything surprise you about what’s expected of new employees?”

Application

Engagement Enhancement Extension

Have students return to the website and explore one more topic that interests them, such as time management, workplace safety, or problem-solving skills.

Ask each student to write a short paragraph reflecting on one skill or piece of information they learned and how they think it will help them in a future job.

View Documents

View CTE Sectors

View CTE Anchor Standards

Anchor Standard 1: Academics - Analyze and apply appropriate academic standards required for successful industry sector pathway completion leading to postsecondary education and employment. Refer to the industry sector alignment matrix for identification of standards.
Anchor Standard 2: Communications - Language Standard: Acquire and accurately use general academic and domain-specific words and phrases sufficient for reading, writing, speaking, and listening at the (career and college) readiness level; demonstrate independence in gathering vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression.
Anchor Standard 3: Career Planning and Management - Speaking and Listening Standard: Integrate multiple sources of information presented in diverse formats and media (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) in order to make informed decisions and solve problems, evaluating the credibility and accuracy of each source and noting any discrepancies among the data.
Anchor Standard 4: Technology - Writing Standard: Use technology, including the Internet, to produce, publish, and update individual or shared writing products in response to ongoing feedback, including new arguments and information.
Anchor Standard 7: Responsibility and Flexibility - Speaking and Listening Standard: Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
Anchor Standard 8: Ethics and Legal Responsibilities - Speaking and Listening Standard: Respond thoughtfully to diverse perspectives; synthesize comments, claims, and evidence made on all sides of an issue; resolve contradictions when possible; and determine what additional information or research is required to deepen the investigation or complete the work.
Anchor Standard 9: Leadership and Teamwork - Speaking and Listening Standard: Work with peers to promote civil, democratic discussions and decision making; set clear goals and deadlines; and establish individual roles as needed.
Anchor Standard 10: Technical Knowledge and Skills - Writing Standard: Use technology, including the Internet, to produce, publish, and update individual or shared writing products in response to ongoing feedback, including new arguments or information.
Anchor Standard 11: Demonstration and Application - Demonstrate and apply the knowledge and skills contained in the industry-sector anchor standards, pathway standards, and performance indicators in classroom, laboratory, and workplace settings, and the career technical student organization.